The Sun. — London, England, 1818-06-05 00:00:00

LITERARY REVIEW. MEMOIRS of .101 IN DUKE of MARLCOROUGII with his Original Corresimndenk'A , , colletea .froth the Family Records at Blenheim, and other authentic Sources: illu,- trated with Portraits, Maps, and Military Plans. Ey WIL LIAM Cole, M.A. F.R.S. F.S.A. Archdeacon of Wilts. LosomAN, I - huas . :, Rees, °lota, and linowN, Paternos ter-row. We have lon. watched with anxiety for the ap pearanre of this important w‘nk. It is indeed scarcer possible th4t any piddication should unite 0 many cla:mi to itatioual, and even to universal, interest as the genuine Memoirs of Jolts; Duke of MAnirsonouGit, the fit st English hero who in modem times supplanted the military leaders of the Continent. extorted the laurel from the Court (ft C:csAtt, 3nd secured to his country the proud end perilous distinetioo of holding the balance of Europe. By an extraordinary combination of circum stances, this great man has. hitherto remained ,eithout an authentic biographer. After the revo lution of a century, it has been the privilege of Mr. CoxE to raise to his memory an historical monument equally national with the Blenheim -of a Fulmer age, and far more interesting to his -country than that imposing mansion of gloomy .grandeur and magnificence. The materials for this , important task are chiefly collected front the pri vate documents preserved at Blenheim amongst - . the family archives, and which have been submit ted uithont reserve to the discrimination and judgment of the biographer. Of the manner in -which he has (to our feelings at least) acquitted ltinaself of the momentous duty, it may be suffi cient to observe, that highly as our expectations have been raised by the subject, and the well known ability of the writer, they have been more than fulfilled by the present volume, 'which, al though it includes but a part of the undertaking, embraces a period of more than fitty-five years, from the birth of CHURCHILL in 16/0, to his ex altation to the dignity of Prince of the Roman -Empire in 1707. The domestic sketches occasionally introduced by Mr. COLE form a very attractive feature of this work. The following extract is of peculiar lute- rest : " The family of Jennings, like that of Churchill, was de voted to the royal cause, and consequently enjoyed consider able favour at Court after the Restoration ; for we find two daughters of Mr. Jennings at an early period filling honour able situations in the royal household. "Frances, the eldest, one of the most lovely women of the age, was placed about the person of the Duchess of York. She first espoused Sir George Hamilton, grandson of James, -second Earl of Ahercorn, a marechal de camp in the French service. He died 1667, leaving issue by her, three daughters; and she married secondly Richard Talbot, who after the Re solution was distinguished for his attachment to the exiled monarch, and by him created Duke of Tyreonnel. " Sala!), the younger sister, was also introduced into the Court of the Duchess of York, at the early age of twelve. She grew up under the protection of her royal patroness, and became the --companion of the Princess Anne. Though not so traliscendantly lovely as her sister, her animated counte nance and commanding figure attracted numerous admirers; and even in the , dawn of beauty she received advantageous of f ers of marriage from 'different persons of consideration, among whom we may reckon the Earl of Lindsay, afterwards Marquis of Ancaster. In the midst of a licentious court, she maintained an unspotted reputation, and was as much re spected for her prudence and .propriety of conduct, as she was admired for the charms of her person and the vivacity of her conversation. " Of this young Ladyrolonel Churchill become enamoured when she had scarcely completed her sixteenth year; and his person, politeness, and amenity of manners, joined with his reputation for bravery, made an early and deep impression on her heart. The interest which the Duchess herself took in this important event of her youth, prompted her to pre serve many of the letters which passed during their courtship. " Nothing is perhaps more trivial than the general corres pondence of lvers. Still, however, the minutest feelings of a great mind are not without interest, and it gratifies our na tural curiosity to trace the sentiments of extraordinary cha racters in those situations Into which they fall in common with the generality of mankind. The letters of the Colonel and his future consort display the peculiar features of their respective characters; and strew the origin and growth of that deep and ardent attachment to which lie owed a higher degree both of happiness and disquietude than usually ac companies the nuptial anion. His notes in particular breathe a romantic tenderness and keen sensibility, which appear foreign to the general sedateness of his character. Indeed this correspondence fully exemplifies the eulogium afterwards paid to him by King William, that to tire coolest head he 'united the warmest heart. Tire letters of the Lady evince, on the other hand, the vivacity and petulance of her temper: and display that alternate haughtiness and courtesy which gave her so powerful a command over the passions of those to whom she was attached. " The-courtship passed through the usual forms of 'coyness and ardour, professions on 'the part of the lover, and reserve on the part of the ladyi and was attended with numberless complaints an& apologies, bickerings and reconciliations. Several obstacles also gavestrength to their mutual passion, as will as retarded their union. The first difficulty arose from tire want of a competent establishment. Colonel Churchill could not expect any fortune from bis father, who had seve ral children, and was embarrassedin circumstances ; and his own actual income consisted in places and emoluments at Court, with an annuity of 5001. which he had purchased from Lord Halifax in 1674. The family property of the Lady was snore ample than that oilier lover, but was considerably in cumbered, by the provision made for the establishment of ber.grandfather's numerous issue. Her portion therefore at this period was small; and it was not till some time after the marriage that it was augmented, by the death of her brothers wiithout issue. Some pecuniary arrangement appears to have been proposed in their favour by the Duchess of York, but at first it was rejected by the Lady, in a fit of spleen and dissa tisfaction. " The next obstacle was derived from the opposition of Sir Winston and Lady Churchill, who were anxious to unite their son with a lady of considerable fortune, though less favoured with the gifts of nature than Miss Jennings. The report of this alliance being circulated, awakened her alarm end re sentment, and she nut only reproached him with selfishness and infidelity, but with effected - disinterestedness urged him t 6 ;in all:I.:or:lint worldly prospc-cts. At the same time she declaicil that, to escape from his further importunities, she would acoompatiti , tier sister, the Countess of Hamilton, on an intended jOill•- ney to Paris. This reproach drew from the lover a warm re monstrance agnitist her injustice anti cruelty, and a pathetic appeal tober affection, which was nut made in . % a i " The reconciliation was soon followed by their marriage, but at what precis.eZlMC it to4lilace,we have not been able to ascertain,_ though it must lialif'been, : in.the. beginning ci4 1675." Mr. CoxE appears anxious to remove an .opinion very commonly entertained, that the consort of MAELS.EOUGI4, who was unquestionably a ‘IA - 5- 1111111 of cxtraordinaty understanding, held hirn In complete vassalage to tier imperious will. That this influence Was over-rated is sufficiently ob vious front the well-founded fact, that he Often rcssted her better j.idgment. It was in opposi tion to her intreaties that he introdticed to .the Cabinet the Secretary IlAtu.c.Y, eventually the au thor of his disgrace. Th e origin of the ljuchess's attachment to the Whigs is traced to domestic circumstance " Lord Spencer, the only son of Lord and Lady Sunder land, having recently lost his wife, Lady Arabella Cavendish, daughter of the bithe of Newcastle, his anxious parents within a few months proposed to unite him with Lady Anne Churchill, first through the agency of Lord Godolphin, and his sister Nlrs. Boscaaen, and subsequently by a direct appli cation. In one of the letters written during this negotiation, Lord Sunderland artfully observes 'lf I see him so settled, I shall desire nothing more in this world but to die in - peace, if it please God. I must add this, that if he can lie thus happy, he will be got erned in every thing public and private by Lord Marlborough. 1 have particularly talked to• him of that, and he is sensible hoW adva n tageous it will be to him to be so. I need not, lam sure, desire that all this May be a, secret to every body but Lady Marlborough.' " The proposal was not however received with equal warmth by the parents of the young lady. Lord Spencer in person was highly favoured by nature, and no less liberally gifted with intellectual endowments, which he bad improved by as siduous study. He was remarkable for a sedateness above his years; but in him a bold and impetuous spirit was concealed tinder a cold and reserved exteriia-. Imbued with that ardent love of liberty, which the youthful mind generally draws from the writers of Greece ;Ina Rome, and educated amidst the effervescence which produced the revolution, lie was a zealous champion of the Whig doctrines, in their most en larged sense. Associating with the remnant of republicans who had survived the common-wealth, he caught their spirit. He was an animated speaker; and in the warmth of debate, disdained to spare the prejudices or failings even of those Kith whom lie was most intimately connected. Ills political idol was Lord Somers, though he wanted both the prudence and temper of so distinguished a leader. " The deportment of the young nobleman iq private life was ill calculated to win the esteem of those who could not regard with indulgence the defects of his public'eharacter.— Abhorring the very shadow of adulation, he carried his free dom of speech to a degree of bluntness which was often of fence. At this period the loss of a beloved wife threw a gloom over his mind; and gave the appearance of additional harsh- ness to his manners and temper. " A man of so unaccommodating a disposition was not likely to conciliate the favour of the Countess of Marlborough, who was accustomed to adulation, and fond of flattery. As little did his political principles accord with those of her Lord, who «•as averse to party violence, and particularly hostile to those republican notions which were • fzt,hionable among the ardent Whigs of the day. We are nut therefore surprised to find the parents of the young lady receiving the proposal of a match with coldness, and ,starting numerous objections, notwithstanding the friendship whirl, subsisted between the two families. Lord and, Lady Sunderland, how- ever, persisted in their solicitations, and extenuated the fail ings of their son with all the partiality of parental affection. " By degrees these instances produced an impression.— Lady Marlborough being less hostile to Whig principles than her husband, overlooked the political violence of her future son-in-law; but her maternal feelings suggested another dif ficulty. Judging from the natural reserve of Lord Spencer, and the additional gloom with which lie was now depressed, she deemed him averse to a new marriage, and withheld her approbation,. from a fear lest her beloved child should be made the sacrifice of a match without affection. " At length the charms and accomplishments of Lady Anne dissipated the grief of the young widower; and he felt the passion which her youth, beauty, and merit, could not fail to inspire. The impression sunk deep in a res,erved but ardent mind ; and he testified no less anxiety for the alliance than ,his parents. The intelligence of this conquest was ex ultingly communicated by his mother to Lady Marlborough, and nccoe►panied with the most pressing intreaties to hasten -an union, which she hoped would equally ensure like felicity of both parties. " By the zealous interposition of Lady Marlborough, the objections of her husband were gradually removed. But he did not give his consent without strong forebodings that his intended son-in-law would not long maintain the pronsised• chwnge in his political habits and principles;. and his fears were fully realised; for it soon appeared that the; father had; overrated his son's docility, when engaged that he should be guided in every thing public and private by the Earl of Marlborough.' " (T o Le continm,yl,) PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PUBLIC. An Account of all sums received under an Act passed in the last Session of Parliament, as far as the same relates to the powers given to the Lords of the Treasury, to Carry into effect his Royal Highness the Prince Regent's and other per sons' intentions towards the public•eervicc The monies received under an Act 57 Geo. 111. cap. 5 , sec. 38, from sundry persons holding offices and places in his Majesty's service, or from others having or holding pensions, or other emoluments derived from the public, amount to the sum of twenty-eight thousand six hundred pounds. JAMES FISHER, Receiver. Exchequer, May 26, 1818. There have been carried to an account, raised at Messrs. Coutts and Co.'s, by tha command of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, intituled,“ An Account of the Contribution from his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, under the Act 57 Geo. 111. cap. 5," certain sums of money, amounting to gether to 25,0001.; and his Royal Highness has commanded that the full slim of 50,0001. be caTried to that account. as soon as the issues for the Civil List for the yftr ending the sth April, 1818, aie completed, and that the 50,0001. bethen.paid in one sum into the Exchequer. Whitehall Treasury Chambers. C. ARBUTHNOT. May 27, •1818. ~~ e, THEATRICAL REGISTI4;II.. Perfiirmed Last Night. MFATRE RoYAL DRUHY-LANE.—King John : King ;John, 'Mr. Kean; the Lady Constance, Miss Macauley. After which, The Falls Of Clyde. THEATiir. itoYAL. CoveNT-GArtnr.v.—Roli Roy Miti - zreof • Francis Osbaldistone, Mr. Sinclair; Diana Vernon, Mrs. Garrick. After which (6th time); The Castle of Palttitii. Armtvero-1 Du1)141-,,1 1-lollalid, 1 .. Gaientinrgb,l Flandei - S. Waterfoyd, 1 Guernsey and Jersey, 1 Lisbuu, . 1 flamburirlk' viticiv, OF sTouk's THIS sAy AT twF.LvF: o'c,.ock. Bank Ctoek... 2794 2804 281) Bank t o . Ann... 3-Igillt Cent. Red. 78aif India Bonds. ..... 87s. 88s. pr. 3 per Cent. Cons shut' Ex. Bills, 2d..... IBs. pr Si prr Cent. BBi Ditto, 21,1.. lBs. 20s. pr. 4 per Cents .... .9(14 Omni 5 per Cent. N. Ann... .1084-a Cons. fur Account ..... HIGH WATER AT MVO Morning, 53 minutes after 3. CI BRIDGE To •NIORI1()%V. Evening, 18 minutes after 4, THE SUN. !BOLEN' QM'S DICERE FALSUM AUDEAT ? LONDON, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1818. There was a strong rumour this day, that Par- llament will be prorogued To-morrow and, from what..we have heard, we should not be at aL surpriseil if it then takes place. Indeed, w•e have no doubt on tl►e subject. Alinisters attended on the PRINCE REGENT this day for the necessary arrangements. • We received this morning the Paris Papers of Tuesday last. They ate remarkably barren of intelligence. The report of the arrival of the Doke of WELLINGTON at Paris appears to have been pre mature, but his Grace was expected either on Tuesday or Wednesday. These Journals informs us, that the RING had granted a private audience to Lord WI NGI-1 ESN, WIIOIII One of them calls the Duke of WtrionEN, but who this Nobleman is, we are at a loss' to understand. The assassins of FUALI,ES have made another attempt to obtain a respite, by addressing a Me morial to the Keeper of the Seals, suggesting the possibility, that in the trial of the other persons now accused of participation in the crime, liAx and Madame MANSON may be convicted of im post,' re. The King of PRUSSIA has, in reply to the Peti tion of ►he Jews, granted permission for an an imal fair, to he held at Nauu►berg, from the ist to the 16th of December. The Convention respecting the boundaries be tween Saxony and Prussia has at length been ra tified by both parties. Th e Queen Dovager of WURTEMBERG left Frankfort on the 24th ult. to return to Stint- Bard. FITE PER CENTS. Monday Monday.. 69 1. 45 c. DEFERRED STOCK. 81 f. 80 c. The Meeting yestereay at the Crown and An chor was not indeed a scene of confusion and com motion, because the company in general sympa thized in political principles with each other, and had the same mischievous purposes in view. But though not a Meeting of turbulence and riot, on this account, yet it was one in the highest degree disgraceful to the City of Westminster. When we find -that the chief persons at the Meeting in question were men whom it would be compli menting to say that Reform is their object, and who are, in fact, notorious for political doctrines very nearly allied to sedition and treason, what can we think of the noble and opulent Inhabitants of that City, who keep aloof at an awful asra of the Constitution, when the people at large are on the eve of regaining that opportunity which enables them to appoint new Representatives for an es sential branch of the Legislature ? May they tint fairly be accused of indifference towards their Country and its glorious Constitution ? 'Tl►e time was when the Houses of NORTHUMBERLAND, STAFFORD, and ,gther Noble Families were anxious to have Representatives of Westminster among their immediate Relatives, and were proud of suc ceeding. The great contest between Lord TRENTHAM and Sir GEORGE VANDEPUT is still re collected, and the latter injured a princely fortune in the struggle. We are far from being inclined to say any thing, in the slightest degree, dispa raging of the traditt part of the community, in a Country which has chitfly raised itself to the height of national power, grandeur, and dignity, by its Commerce, but, with few exceptions, Shop keepers are little qualified to assist in LE GISLATION, and had much better adhere to their honest callings, than interfere in the choice of prover Representatives in Parlia ment, except by giving their votes conscien- iously to those who they conceive, according to the best of their judgment, will have the interest of the Country really at heart. Is it to be en dured, that in one of the greatest Cities on Earth low, fictions, Demagogues, whose habits in life c ot little ehtitie them to ettgage iii t he t°l4 of a Nation, and Whose dispositions to be seditious, shall forte themselves into n ° oo and 'thrust into parliamentary nbmioati° ll 11/e it o seditious as themselves , but more aitfal;!'a n " j ~e f t re only 'desire to rise into power upon iii3O,loP tet tiot, , r of the Rabble, b ecause they Dine no, . 1 0 tensioni,..atidvhß would Nave that Ribbl e lurch as soon as Nsnptation came in the ir of We call upon the noble and wealthy In llobit- :0 of Westminster, who by their rank and pos sess - l e must be superior to the low and despicab le iticl o tl meats of pecuniary corruption, to stand fr rli c in support of the honour of the City ; from Mob-Orators and Rabble-Reformers , propose Candidates of talents and integritY* Cjt l men are, we trust, to be found in the great na of I'Vestminster. Men of good plinc i P ig i s o di° education, who entertain a due reverence "' r id Constitution, and are ambitiOns ( " se t n o, honours and distinctions which diligence , o if knowledge, integrity ; aini true public 4' l ' 4 ' 1 1l enable them to obtain under that Constitoti°%fit worthy of the patronage of the highest Wh at° Alt of the City. If such men were to be btljt i l , n ol to resod' 0 forward, under the countenance and prote cti° R, men of rank and property,who hive, coose cia l e ,rgi a great interest in the welfare of the State ° f o p' the Rabble, who want to obtain the powe. ' ~r c bt'' pointing such Represe n t a ti ves as h a ve 11°'r t, 00 to overthrow the pr e se n t f orm o f G o verorP en vo elti at best, to gratify their own venal purpos es ' he driven away by the respectable 11 1 °3 °ri t ir honest tradesmen, as well a s o f m en wb ° I' 'o l4 dependent in fortune and p r i nc ipl es , or th e Y easily be kept from mischief by a Vigilai lt S is i o intendance of the Civil Pow er . The 6gt. e r,o really alarming.—We have silly and deg ell l,id' Nobles, who are adverse to an A Lits is necessary to protect tile Empire troth of foreign miscreants, while we have 1 ar t of such characters of home-nzanfacture, fill' u 1 would render the country a receptacle t(ir l i i iP wretches, on the eve too of a General °ec th' i These same short-sighted Nobles, who fso - , ti fp be totally ignorant of the history of thcir• c°u t ite are also anxious Dot only tar battet the C° l ' s tion by exposing it to the attacks 'of fot eigi 00 1 venturers and domestic Incendiaries, h ot t° tpt dermine it by the restoration of PoW l ' future but imminent hazard of our 11 0 0 6 ,0' .t ! ! blishment in Church and State Let ol say, that part of our N o bili t y, fialio6; ta 11 3 ' larger views, sounder knowledge, aPd triotism, come forward and nominate C at ( fit tube st:pported against all RtraleitePr eselif i t co o4 They may be assured that th e i r e x a mple gill er , all the respectable Electors o f Westiolost 00 0 41 every description, %oho will soon rally them, and array themselves in defence' .15 If nom - of the City, the support of the C . °' it y , TIONT in CHURCH' 4114 d STATE, 210 the dig well as welfare of the Empire. et The Meeting of Ilia LIVERY yesterdBP s . o f ° London Tavern, in Bishopsgate-streetr very different description from that\ av P he 9 and Anchor, which we have a b o ve HOtiCet;; o ftf Cr t p Company were highly res p ecta ble, and g° ° : c ft and temperate conviviality characteri zed 00 1 0 ' proceedings. We have given a brief s*C c° both Meetings in another part of our PaP er ‘ o rio cannot help notking the effect of the f°ii ai}'l stanza in the popular song of " The i' ;°T the CHURCII" " Heret a heaitlr to-OLD ENGLANin "The KING and: the CH tIRCJI-"" " May all plotting- Contrivers "Be left in the lurch.'" c eD rli • This stanza was re ce i ve d a t the teeerit e is 11 " thm of Mr. Prrr's Birth-day with such 911° i L id' ' applause, repeatedly raised, and long as ; if we may hence p resume to j u dge ' 3f t-i , e d allf swill feeling of the Count r y, must .effec. t° - re; crush the hopes of th ose w h o 'f ist ' ,tl Oll store POPERY, and to invest it wit b gerous portion of Political Power, hile " f lnd sesses the freest scop e f or th e exerc ise ° it ' d : Religious Faith. The same stanza s". r ~i ll g yesterday with si m il ar a ppl ause a t the lee-000(i' the Livery, an d consequent l y mus t strebgtbede t hope Of' that no f a rth er attempts will b e " 1 ; 1 4 effect what has beets absurdly denOnsitlarea Li % te LIC'EMANCIPATION, the meaning ' of which } 1 0° tore destruction to our ' , mesas:l44 o ' oo9i° in CHURCH and STATE ~into The Company's ships Cormo'rthin aria il 'rel arrived off Plymouth the 2d instan t ; t h i e : 41 1 Bombay tile 7th Dec em b er , Telliciferry t" January, and St. Helena the 21st Marc!l. CORN-EXCHANGE, JUNE s.—We ha d ~1 1, coj° 1 fresh arriyali this morning. from .nor fr with Whe a t, b ut pl ent y . o f Voteirn left ove'rict; late arriv a ls; fine samples sold at ilondaY E r ! l e i I the Oat trade is rat h er brisk, and fine a rt fully support their price ; Beans are in de,to" real fine Barley is foli as d e ar ; in P eve °Ill) .kinds of Grain there is no alteration. 4 411 1 . ti, e ac , i ttf t 'lie tF ot Pati . 14,r tri„ s V;x t tire - it se) of St it t l h, lao. 73 41 1 1 k ti ltl tt,ll(ls ti t itil a ~ , l~ sc ~'~~ll n 6rn~,k c o n 9l ~